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The Disco Biscuits | 03.15-03.16 | Philadelphia

March 25th, 2010 | No Comments

Words by: Jonathan Reiss | Images by: James M. McCloskey

The Disco Biscuits :: 03.15.10-03.16.10 :: Theatre of Living Arts :: Philadelphia, PA

The Disco Biscuits :: 03.15 :: Philadelphia

Finally, after three years of consistent hype, The Disco Biscuits released their fifth studio album, Planet Anthem (JamBase review and JamBase feature). To celebrate its release, the band played two shows at Philadelphia’s Theatre of Living Arts. The album, their first studio release since 2002′s Señor Boombox, has been in the making since purchasing a studio from DJ Jazzy Jeff around the time drummer Allen Aucoin replaced Sam Altman in 2005. With the album finally arriving on March 16, the Biscuits delivered noteworthy performances packed with songs that have shaped the band’s image and fan base for nearly 15 years.

Clearly excited to get started, the band came out firing on Monday. Opening with the quick instrumentals “Step Inside” and “Strobelights and Martinis,” the first show took flight with a Phishy drop into “7-11.” Gaining considerable momentum starting within “7-11′s” first jam, guitarist Jon Gutwillig and keyboardist Aron Magner weaved through the tropically influenced melodies with attitude. Hitting the song’s second jam, Aucoin led the trance-based charge as the crowd erupted with the sudden drop into an inverted “Little Betty Boop.” One of the band’s classic segments, they stretched the blues oriented “Boop” for 20 minutes with bassist Marc Brownstein and Magner trading notes until Aucoin’s drum roll signaled the start of “Mr. Don” to close the set. Topping out at 54 minutes, “Boop” > “Don” was a perfect example of the electronic improv the band has been creating for over a decade.

Continuing with the first set trend, set two was full of old school fan favorites. Opening with a standalone “Down to the Bottom,” high fives filled the balcony, while the band ripped through one of their oldest tunes. “Crickets” followed, emerging with its slow Middle Eastern feel. Progressing through multiple themes, the band built to an adventurous abyss with Gutwillig ripping the composed peak to perfection. Quickly moving through the song’s funk section, the room turned eerie as the ominous “Basis For A Day” crept through the PA system. Struggling to find a rhythm within the confines of the intro jam, the band nailed the composed section, launching the South Philly theatre into orbit to start the song’s second jam. Crafting layers of sound driven by Magner but dazzled by Gutwillig, the ending of “Little Shimmy In a Conga Line” thrashed its way out of “Basis.” Hitting the song’s ending note, the band, on the crack of Aucoin’s snare, jumped right back into the song’s beginning section, wowing the audience. Alive with feel good piano and happy lyrics, this inverted “Shimmy” shined amongst a set filled with mostly improv. Immediately falling back into “Basis” territory out of “Shimmy,” the band unleashed an onslaught of intensity led by hair-raising guitar solos ultimately concluding “Basis For A Day.” With applause loud enough to be noted, the band encored with Gary Numan’s “Cars” as a goof to conclude the first night.

The Disco Biscuits :: 03.16 :: Philadelphia

After three years of bracing fans for an album introducing a new sound, the night finally came for The Disco Biscuits to unveil Planet Anthem. Though “On Time,” “You and I,” “Konkrete” and “Uber Glue” have been used in setlists dating back to last summer, most of the album and its new sound have been kept under wraps. Collaborating with a variety of producers ranging from psy-trance czar Simon Posford to hip-hop producer Dirty Harry (Harry Zelnick), the band stretched beyond their musical norms with what appears to be an attempt at crossing over to the mainstream.

Arriving to the stage, the grunge strum of “Nughuffer” whaled to the surprise of many. Powering through a mechanical techno jam, Brownstein began to tell the story of the album’s creation. Using the “Nughuffer” narrative throughout the night, the band played every song on Planet Anthem besides “Uber Glue.” In an attempt to recreate the studio setting live, the band daringly invited several musicians featured on the album, including an occasional horn and tambourine section, to join them onstage. Tom Hamilton (Brothers Past, American Babies), also a producer on the album, played backup guitar and percussion. These were brave moves, as the band chose to celebrate three-plus years of hard work with the people who helped make it happen.

Within the first set, the band debuted a vast range of material that did not blow the roof off the building. Containing no real signature jams or segues, the vibe inside the TLA diminished as the set wore on. The hard hitting “Sweat Box” never got started as guest vocalist Rocco‘s tone didn’t transfer well live. “Vacation” and “Camouflage Soul” felt awkward, while “Fish Out of Water” sounded like the backing track for a movie trailer. Even the already popular “On Time” went south when Tuphace, who sings the song on the album, failed to deliver the lyrics at the right speed or pitch. Highlighting the first set was a fancy, late night TV take of “You and I” with Zelnick on lead vocals.

Going with what Brownstein dubbed “the Simon Posford produced part of the show,” Anthem‘s lead track “Loose Change” began set two with its psychedelic beats and simplistic lyrics. Standalone versions of “Konkrete” and “Widgets” followed, showcasing dark themes but never materializing into anything beyond the song’s basic structure. Finally stepping outside the Planet Anthem material, a “Mirrors” > “Minions” > “Big Wrecking Ball” combo delighted all with the first touch of Bisco-like jamming to show up all night. Though a little too late to revive the show, the segment did give the crowd a chance to move for an extended period. Past that, “Big Wrecking Ball” might be the surprise hit on the album (besides “On Time”) with its catchy guitar licks and joyful chorus. The back end of the set brought the Brownstein jingle “The City” before McKenzie Eddy sang the ballad “Rain Song.” Closing the set, Zelnick led the rambunctious “Save Your Soul” before snaking into a formal completion of “Nughuffer.” Ending one of the more unusual Disco Biscuits concerts ever, the band thanked their hometown crowd in the form of a triumphant “Home Again.”

Setlists

03.15.10 | Theater Of The Living Arts | Philadelphia, PA

Set I: Step Inside, Strobelights and Martinis, 7-11 > Little Betty Boop1 > Mr. Don

Set II: Down To The Bottom, Crickets > Basis For A Day > Little Shimmy In A Conga Line1 > Basis For A Day

E: Cars

1 inverted

03.16.10 | Theater Of The Living Arts | Philadelphia, PA

Set I: Nughuffer > Sweat Box1 2 3 4, Vacation2, Fish Out of Water2 > Nughuffer2, Camouflage Soul2 5 6, You and I2 7, Quad D2 3 4 5, On Time2 8

Set II: Nughuffer > Loose Change, Konkrete, Widgets2 > Nughuffer2, Mirrors2 > Minions2 > Big Wrecking Ball2 5, The City2 4, Rain Song2 3 5, Save Your Soul2 5 7 > Nughuffer2

E: Home Again2

1 with Rocco

2 with Tom Hamilton (Brothers Past)

3 with McKenzie Eddy on backup vocals

4 with Flicker and Zach on horns

5 1st time played

6 with Chris on backup vocals

7 with Harry and Alex on backup vocals

8 with Tuphace

Setlist courtesy of Phantasytour.com.

var siteRoot=”http://www.jambase.com”;var newPhotoIndex=”3″;$(document).ready( function() { $(“#GalleryWidget”).load(siteRoot+”/Photos/Widget.aspx?galleryID=3″);}); The Disco Biscuits Photo Album | Theatre of Living Arts (TLA) | Philadelphia, PA | 03.15.10 and 03.16.10 The Disco Biscuits celebrate the release of their new album at the Theatre of Living Arts in their hometown of Philadelphia, PA. Several guests joined the band onstage, including Tom Hamilton, McKenzie Eddy on backup vocals, Tuphace, Rocco, Dirty Harry and more. View Photos

The Disco Biscuits Tour Dates :: The Disco Biscuits News :: The Disco Biscuits Concert Reviews

JamBase | Discodelphia

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The Disco Biscuits Adjust Shows After Broken Wrist

March 19th, 2010 | No Comments
The Disco Biscuits


The Show Must Go On For The Disco Biscuits



The news of Jon Gutwillig’s broken wrist was announced this morning on Facebook, but here is the official word from discobiscuits.com:


Last night following the show Jon Gutwillig injured his wrist in an accident. He received immediate medical attention and it was determined that he would need surgery to which he is having this afternoon in New York. Though we expect a speedy recovery, we will need to make the following adjustments to our 5 upcoming shows this weekend:


1. Tonight’s show in Boston WILL take place. Though Jon will not be there, we plan on still rocking out with everyone at the House of Blues. Expect a big party tonight in Boston with special guests and lots of musical treats. Since the band is not at full strength, we are making tonight’s show a free show. Refunds will be available for any ticket purchaser at point of purchase. If you used cash to purchase your tickets, remember to hold onto your ticket stub. PLEASE NOTE YOU WILL NEED TO SHOW YOUR TICKET TO GET INTO TONIGHT’S SHOW BUT YOU WILL STILL BE REFUNDED.


2. Tomorrow night’s show at the Wellmont Theatre is postponed. Because of the circumstances, we though it would be best to do this show later this spring. Details to be announced soon.


3. The Brooklyn Bowl show WILL take place on Sunday. Tom Hamilton is going to fill in for Jon and we are going to make it an extra special night to celebrate the launch of BPM.


4. We will be performing at Ultra Music Festival. We will have an announcement of the lineup for that show next week.


5. The Tractorbeam show will also go ahead as planned. We will have an announcement of the lineup for that show next week.

The Disco Biscuits Tour Dates :: The Disco Biscuits News :: The Disco Biscuits Concert Reviews


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The Disco Biscuits Change The Anthem

March 18th, 2010 | No Comments

By: Brian Bavosa

The Disco Biscuits

It’s only hours before the lineup announcement for Camp Bisco 9 as I speak with bassist Marc Brownstein. A world-renowned festival hosted by The Disco Biscuits which originated in 1999, the annual event has seen its share of evolution over the years. Built slowly upon the roots of a regional party, big name artists like Snoop Dog, Nas and Damien Marley have made recent appearances. Maybe that’s the reason Brownstein is bubbling with energy and excitement during the duration of our hour-plus phone chat. As he gushes in his notoriously raspy, smoky drawl over this year’s Camp headliners – Ween and LCD Soundsystem, along with the Biscuits – he explains, “[We] had been trying to get [these bands] for years.” For a festival steeped heavily in the jam/live-electro scene, the inclusion of artists like these speaks to the Biscuits’ commitment to change and evolution.

“If you don’t change, you get left behind,” says Brownstein.

Nothing represents this notion more than The Disco Biscuits’ latest studio effort, Planet Anthem (released March 16 through Diamond Riggs Records) (JamBase review). In many ways, Planet Anthem is an extension of the mentality of Camp Bisco and its lineage over the past decade. Brownstein, with bandmates Aron Magner (keys), Allen Aucoin (drums) and Jon “Barber” Gutwillig (guitar), started Camp Bisco over a decade ago. Once a small affair held on the farmlands of Pennsylvania’s countryside, Camp Bisco has developed into arguably the preeminent electronic-related music festival in the country. The first fest to allow – and encourage – both “jam bands” and DJs on the same stage, Camp Bisco has seemingly found a home in Upstate New York at the Indian Lookout Country Club, where it’s been held since 2007. In fact, Camp was where Simon Posford, a producer on the new album, made his first appearance into the jam scene, winning over a legion of fans with his Hallucinogen in Dub set and returning the next year with his Younger Brother live band.

This year’s festival will be held from July 15-17 and will again feature multiple stages. Brownstein feels it is by far the best lineup yet. When talking about LCD Soundsystem and Ween, he says, “We didn’t expect to get both of them, but then we got both of them. So, when that happens you take them both!” He’s also quick to point out similarities between the Biscuits approach to Planet Anthem and LCD Soundsystem. Both acts have been searching for ways to incorporate a wide mix of styles without loosing their electro edge.

The Disco Biscuits at Camp Bisco 2008 by Vann

Brownstein explains how Planet Anthem, a labor of love that also began in 2007, shaped up the way it did.

“We made four albums while we were making this album! We very carefully chose the songs while we were making this album. Out of 50 songs [these 13] were all chosen for a reason. They were chosen because as time went on it was a two-and-a-half-year-process, and when we got to the end of the two-and-a-half-years these were the songs that stood the test of time,” he says, “songs that are still relevant in 2010. Shit is changing fast in the music world, and being relevant in 2010, the only way to do that is be aware of what kind of music is out there and be influenced by it. That’s the key!”

Planet Anthem draws on a multitude of genres, from rock to hip-hop to electronica to everything in between, and that’s one of the reasons it’s so daring – or may seem confusing to casual or even experienced Bisco listeners. It’s all things Bisco delivered in a very un-Bisco-like package, featuring guest singers, new arrangements and heavy production. Another difference on this album was the decision to not road test the material and instead record new songs largely unheard by fans. Brownie promises “Big Wrecking Ball,” a true rock song at heart, will make heads roll when the fans hear it live.

Continue reading for more on The Disco Biscuits…

 


I don’t know if in ten years I’m going to look back and say this was a good thing or a bad thing, or even a thing, but if we had made that other album [referring to typical Bisco releases] then we wouldn’t be talking about MTV.

-Marc Brownstein

 

Brownstein even contends that Planet Anthem seems to fit in with the band and their overall timeline.

“If you know The Disco Biscuits, you know that we started out as a jam band with no electronic music. And if you really followed us, you watched us start to incorporate trance, then dub, hip-hop and all different styles of music over the years, you know, classical, the whole nine [yards],” explains Brownstein. “You’ve seen us go from a band that would play jazz standards to a band that never plays jazz standards. You’ve seen us go from a band that has electronic music in our jams to playing songs electronic the whole way through. And all [the way] back again to writing songs like ‘Big Wrecking Ball’ that are just rock songs.”

What makes this studio effort unique is how it mixes and matches so many elements together, while holding true to the band’s trademark top-flight musicianship. “It would have been very easy for us to go in and attempt to make an all electronic album,” he says. “That’s what everyone is doing now. They’ve dropped the music.”

The Disco Biscuits at Camp Bisco 2009 by Vann

In line with their mantra of anything goes, the band also employed the help of many local and, in a few cases, world renown names to help contribute, tweak or produce. These names include Simon Posford, Harry Zelnick, Tor Hyams and longtime friend and side project cohort Tom Hamilton (Brothers Past, American Babies).

“The thing that I love about The Disco Biscuits is that you get in the studio and there are no barriers, no walls, there is nothing stopping us from doing anything in any direction,” says Brownstein. “[We're] four guys who all write music regularly, plus a team of our producers – Harry, Tommy, Alex, Simon, Tor – a team of the top musical people in our city AND some of the top in the world coming together to kind of guide the sound, and the sound goes in fucking twenty directions at once yet it works together!”

One of the major and immediate results of this approach was the band’s initial music video for “You and I”, which has been in steady rotation on MTV2. “I don’t know if in ten years I’m going to look back and say this was a good thing or a bad thing, or even a thing, but if we had made that other album [referring to typical Bisco releases] then we wouldn’t be talking about MTV!”

As we rub up on the topic of fans, evolution and that video on MTV, Brownstein is eager to discuss more upcoming videos. The next clip is for “On Time” (catch a preview of the video here), perhaps the catchiest tune on the album, a club-banger that could bring a whole new type of fan to the party.

“There’s four more videos on the way. We’re even making a trilogy of videos,” says Brownstein. “It’s ‘Fish Out of Water,’ ‘On Time’ and ‘Widgets.’ The three songs are all tied together in video, and it’s the story of a robot who picks up this really, really bangin’ girl in a club. It’s a really, really crazy looking video and it’s done in animation, and it’s really, really hot. In addition to the ‘You and I’ remix video that we’re going to do, we’re going to have four more videos coming out. So, we’re looking at five or six videos for this album.”

Regardless of your opinion of The Disco Biscuits or Planet Anthem, which many fans will likely hate due to the unexpected, almost unrecognizable nature of the material, it’s hard not to be impressed by the band’s willingness to try new things. The Biscuits have been doing this for well over a decade and the last thing they needed was another album that tried to capture what they already do onstage every night.

“We’re not even swinging for the fences,” says Brownstein. “We’re just making different music. Our goal was not to make a massive album. Our goal was to make a good album. Our goal was to make good songs.”

The Disco Biscuits Tour Dates :: The Disco Biscuits News :: The Disco Biscuits Concert Reviews

JamBase | USA

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The Disco Biscuits: Planet Anthem

March 18th, 2010 | No Comments

By: Dennis Cook

The Disco Biscuits have never been my thing. Long respected their general savvy and knack at carving out a unique niche for themselves, and there’s no denying they can play their butts off, but music either connects with us or it doesn’t. I offer this caveat because I came into Planet Anthem (released March 16 on Diamond Riggs Records) with ZERO expectations. And one’s POV on Bisco will heavily influence their response to their game changing new platter.

In a nutshell, the Biscuits have done what few bands to rise to prominence in the jam scene have done: Created a thoroughly modern, intensely sculpted set that has an honest shot of penetrating the mainstream. It’s also incredibly brave of a band to offer such a drastic reconfiguration of their sound this far into their career. They know dance music in ways few others can match, and they’ve whittled things down to a succinct beat science here. There’s some sexy space rock like “Uber Glue” likely to become live monsters, but there’s more cuts that could be singles or populist DJ fare (no problem imagining a Vegas disco spinning “You and I” next to Britney’s “Toxic,” or perhaps finding “The City” or “Big Wrecking Ball” sandwiched between videos by the Black Eyed Peas and Rihanna). Even if this doesn’t make it on the charts, the Biscuits now have a set custom made for the dance music underworld they’ve been French kissing for years.

For a band regarded by many as primarily a live entity, they’ve crafted a quality studio offering that holds up against the high gloss stuff on major labels and MTV. And as someone who didn’t come into this expecting “Morph Dusseldorf” or “Little Shimmy In A Conga Line,” I kinda dig this and see how it opens up a ton of new possibilities for them – fiscally, musically and otherwise. The ’60s psych-pop of “Fish Out of Water,” the Morcheeba-with-saucy-horns vibe of “Quad D,” the patient prog moan Of “Rain Song,” and post-punk, Public Image Ltd-esque “Sweatbox” are all fresh ground. And there’s little doubt the band will transform and trick out every tune in concert; their gift for variety and brainy rejiggering practically guarantees it.

There’s a sharp focus and pleasant disregard for their past on Planet Anthem that’s excitingÂ…if one can let go of insisting The Disco Biscuits continue to be as they have been.

JamBase | Worldwide
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Disco Biscuits Album Out Now Stream Show Tonight & New Vid

March 16th, 2010 | No Comments

The Disco Biscuits Broadcasting Planet Anthem CD Release Show 3/16 in Philly For Free via Livestream

Planet Anthem Out Today Tuesday, 3/16, Watch a clip from their new video for “On Time”

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits‘ new album Planet Anthem was just released on Tuesday, 3/16. To celebrate the release, the DB’s are partnering with Livestream to broadcast the entire Planet Anthem CD Release Party at the TLA in their home town of Philadelphia for FREE. The broadcast will air live March 16 starting at 8 p.m. and will be available at livestream.com/discobiscuits. With Livestream as the exclusive streaming provider, the player widget for the webcast can be embedded anywhere. Integration with Facebook and Twitter allows viewers to engage in an online conversation with others fans and the band.


The Disco Biscuits took the pre-order game to a whole new level, offering fans the opportunity to bundle the record with an actual experience with the band. It worked, too, as The Disco Biscuits sold over 3,000 pre-order packages. There were over 32 combinations available, including going to an Eagles game with the band, taking shots of Jameson with band, going to dinner, taking guitar/bass/keyboard/drum lessons and
playing tennis against the band. Others included your standard CD/poster/ticket bundle, a chance to pick the bands playlist and even sing on the next record. Although the massive pre-order campaign is now over, fans can still grab an autographed copy of the album from Newbury Comics HERE.

Check back later this week for an in-depth feature/interview with Marc Brownstein on the new album.

Tour Dates:

3/16 @ TLA, Philadelphia, PA **BROADCAST LIVE VIA LIVESTREAM

3/17 @ Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY

3/18 @ The Egg Center For Performing Arts, Albany, NY

3/19 @ House of Blues, Boston, MA

3/20 @ Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ

3/21 @ Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY

3/26 @ Ultra Music Festival, Miami, FL

4/14 @ Charleston Music Hall, Charleston, SC

4/15 @ Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC

4/16 @ The National, Richmond, VA

4/17 @ The National, Richmond, VA

4/18 @ The NorVa, Norfolk, VA

4/20 @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

4/21 @ The Jefferson Theatre, Charlottesville, VA

4/22 @ The Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT

4/23 @ Kirby Center For Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre, PA

4/24 @ House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ

4/25 @ Webster Theatre, Hartford, CT

05/29 @ Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver, CO *Bisco Inferno

06/03 @ Wakarusa, Ozark, AR

06/10-13 @ Bonnaroo, Manchester, TN

07/15 – 0/17 @ Camp Bisco, Mariaville, New York

Download an MP3 of “On Time” HERE.

The Disco Biscuits Tour Dates :: The Disco Biscuits News :: The Disco Biscuits Concert Reviews


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Biscuits Benefit at Brooklyn Bowl High Score Wins Camp Bisco Tix

February 24th, 2010 | No Comments

The Disco Biscuits Green Energy Benefit at Brooklyn Bowl

High Score Wins Camp Bisco Tix / Concert Set for March 21

Bisco

The Disco Biscuits have teamed up with HeadCount to stage Bisco Power Mission – a benefit concert and volunteer initiative to help outfit a Philadelphia public school with solar power. The concert will be at held at Brooklyn Bowl, the nation’s largest LEED Certified green music venue, in Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, March 21.


When The Disco Biscuits played Brooklyn Bowl on October 11 last year, tickets sold out in less than a minute. Tickets for Bisco Power Mission go on sale Thursday, February 25 at 12 p.m. EST through BiscoTix and Friday, February 26 at 12 p.m. EST through Ticketfly. General Admission tickets are $40 and a limited number of VIP/Bowling tickets are available for $75. Free bowling all night. Lanes are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Minimum six people per lane. For more information, visit the Bisco Power Mission web page: discobiscuits.com/bpm.

Biscuits fans can also add to the energy by participating in “Adopt-a-Watt,” an opportunity for fans around the country to have their names immortalized on a ceremonial plaque displayed at the school. The way to Adopt-a-Watt is to pre-order a limited edition Bisco Power Mission print. Prints can be purchased with tickets or separately (see website for ordering info). Adding to the fun at Brooklyn Bowl, the person who bowls the highest score of the night will win two free VIP tickets to Camp Bisco IX, courtesy of CID Entertainment and MCP Presents.

The Disco Biscuits tour dates available here.


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Bonnaroo Lineup: DMB Jay-Z, KOL, Biscuits, Wonder

February 11th, 2010 | No Comments

BONNAROO ANNOUNCES 2010 LINEUP

FEATURING: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, KINGS OF LEON, STEVIE WONDER, JAY-Z, WEEZER, THE DEAD WEATHER

FLAMING LIPS PERFORMING DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, PHOENIX, AVETT BROTHERS, THE BLACK KEYS

MICHAEL FRANTI, LES CLAYPOOL, THE DISCO BISCUITS, TORI AMOS, JEFF BECK, THIEVERY CORP AND MORE

The 2010 Bonnaroo lineup saw a rather interesting release on Tuesday (February 9). Pouring slowly out of the festival’s MySpace page and appearing in videos like the one The Avett Brothers debuted on JamBase, fans learned one-by-one which of their favorite artists will appear at the event. More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will go down June 10-13 in a huge field near Manchester, TN. Tickets are on sale now at bonnarootickets.com.

For more on Bonnaroo, check our extensive coverage of the 2009 event here.

Artists Confirmed for Bonnaroo 2010:

Bonnaroo 2009 by Snyder

Dave Matthews Band

Kings of Leon

Stevie Wonder

Jay-Z

Tenacious D

Weezer

The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform Dark Side of the Moon

The Dead Weather

Damian Marley & Nas

Phoenix

Norah Jones

Michael Franti & Spearhead

John Fogerty

Regina Spektor

Jimmy Cliff

LCD Soundsystem

The Avett Brothers

Thievery Corporation

Rise Against

Tori Amos

The National

Zac Brown Band

Les Claypool

John Prine

The Black Keys

Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers

Jeff Beck

Dropkick Murphys

She & Him

Against Me!

The Disco Biscuits

Daryl Hall & Chromeo

Jamey Johnson

Clutch

Bassnectar

Kid Cudi

Baaba Maal

Kris Kristofferson

Medeski Martin & Wood

The xx

GWAR

Dan Deacon Ensemble

Tinariwen

Wale

Deadmau5

The Melvins

Gaslight Anthem

Miike Snow

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Dr. Dog

They Might Be Giants

Punch Brothers

Isis

Blitzen Trapper

Blues Traveler

Miranda Lambert

Calexico

OK Go

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Martin Sexton

Lotus

Baroness

Dave Rawlings Machine

Mayer Hawthorne and the County

Japandroids

Jay Electronica

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Ingrid Michaelson

The Dodos

Manchester Orchestra

The Temper Trap

Cross Canadian Ragweed

Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Tokyo Police Club

The Entrance Band

Local Natives

Brandi Carlile

Mumford & Sons

Rebelution

Diane Birch

Monte Montgomery

Julia Nunes

The Postelles

Lucero

Here We Go Magic

Hot Rize

Neon Indian

B.O.B

Needtobreathe


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Disco Biscuits: Bisco Inferno 2010 Planet Anthem New Release Date

February 2nd, 2010 | No Comments

SECOND YEAR OF RED ROCKS HEADLINING EVENT

The Disco Biscuits | 12.31.09 | by Jesse Borrell

The Disco Biscuits will make their return to the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre on May 29, 2010 for Bisco Inferno. This is the second time in as many years that Red Rocks will host the “Bisco Inferno” main event. The band’s schedule will also feature two additional area dates – a May 27 performance at the Boulder Theater, followed by a May 28 engagement at Denver’s Ogden Theatre.

Tickets to The Disco Biscuits’ Boulder Theater and Ogden Theatre Bisco Inferno kickoff shows are only available as part of limited quantity 2-day or 3-day Bisco Inferno passes available through BiscoTix, beginning Wednesday, February 3 at Noon, MST. 3-day passes will be offered for $99.75, 2-day will be offered for $69.75, and single day Red Rocks tickets will be sold for $39.75. Single day tickets for the band’s May 29 show at Red Rocks will only be available through Ticketmaster beginning Saturday, February 20 at 10am MST.

The Disco Biscuits will once again host a collection of talented and renowned supporting acts at Bisco Inferno. The Glitch Mob, Booka Shade, The Crystal Method (DJ set), Pnuma Trio, and Aeroplane will ensure that the second annual party on the Rocks will once again be the musical event of the summer.

Also, The Disco Biscuits’ long-awaited new album, Planet Anthem, set for release today, February 2, will now arrive on March 16. Planet Anthem is the product of three fruitful years of labor, during which The Disco Biscuits absorbed everything from hip hop to pop to indie rock into their sound. The band collaborated for the first time with multiple producers, songwriters, and outside musicians.

CID Entertainment is offering Bisco Inferno VIP Travel packages, including: tickets for all shows, VIP section at Red Rocks, shuttle transportation, hotel accommodations, and much more. Please continue to check here for more details.


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Disco Biscuits: After Party 1/29

January 20th, 2010 | No Comments

THE DISCO BISCUITS ANNOUNCE RE:CREATION AFTER PARTY FOR 1/29

Conspirator

Euphonic Conceptions has teamed up with The Disco Biscuits for a special all-night Re:Creation event at the Boulder Theater on Friday, January 29. Celebrating the second night of a four-night, sold out run at the Fox Theatre, this event will open doors at 9 p.m. and continue past 4 a.m.

The late portion of the show is headed up by Conspirator, with Marc Brownstein and keyboardist Aron Magner uncorking their darkest and dirtiest electronic flavors. Joining them for this show will be local Boulder drummer Lane Shaw of Pnuma Trio. This show will also feature Jon Gutwillig‘s electronic project, M80 Dubstation.

The early evening is packed with a plethora of top shelf electronic acts such as Random Rab (along with world renowned painter and visualist Andrew Jones), and the crunk-step phenom Mimosa. Rounding out the early evening will be Boulder’s own Fresh2Death (featuring Samples and Fisk) and Jantsen).

Discounted tickets will be available for $25 at the Biscuits merch booth inside the Fox Theatre.

Tickets are available now for $30 online here.


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Disco Biscuits: Winter/Spring Tour

January 7th, 2010 | No Comments

DISCO BISCUITS ANNOUNCE WINTER/SPRING TOUR DATES

The Disco Biscuits

Fresh off a spectacular five-night run of shows in New York’s Times Square, including a legendary New Year’s Eve blowout, The Disco Biscuits will be hitting the road throughout February, March and April.

The tour will take the band up and down the East Coast for three months, following four sold-out dates in Boulder, CO’s Fox Theatre at the end of January.

2009 was a banner year for The Disco Biscuits, which saw them headlining their first show at Red Rocks and playing Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival. 2010 promises to be another fantastic year, with the band continuing their tradition of incendiary live shows at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival and many other tour dates. Tickets for the Ultra Music Festival can be purchased here, while tickets and more information for the Disco Biscuits’ individual shows are available here.

Disco Biscuits Tour Dates

1/28 | Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO

1/29 | Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO

1/30 | Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO

1/31 | Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO

2/18 | Ram’s Head Live, Baltimore, MD

2/19 | Lupos, Providence, RI

2/20 | Calvin Theatre, Northampton, MA

2/21 | Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord, NH

3/17 | Town Ballroom, Buffalo, NY

3/18 | The Egg Center For Performing Arts, Albany, NY

3/19 | House of Blues, Boston, MA

3/20 | Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ

3/26 | Ultra Music Festival, Miami, FL (w/ Deadmau5, Tiesto, Will.I.Am and others)

4/14 | Charleston Music Hall, Charleston, SC

4/15 | Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC

4/16 | The National, Richmond, VA

4/17 | The National, Richmond, VA

4/18 | The NorVa, Norfolk, VA

4/20 | 9:30 Club, Washington, DC

4/21 | The Jefferson Theatre, Charlottesville, VA

4/22 | The Klein Memorial Auditorium, Bridgeport, CT

4/23 | Kirby Center For Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre, PA

4/24 | House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ

4/25 | Webster Theatre, Hartford, CT

5/29 | Red Rocks Amphitheater, Denver, CO (Bisco Inferno)

Be sure to check out our coverage of The Disco Biscuits NYE show here.


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The Disco Biscuits | 12.31 | New York

January 6th, 2010 | No Comments

Word & Images by: Jesse Borrell

The Disco Biscuits :: 12.31.09 :: Nokia Theatre Times Square :: New York, NY

The Disco Biscuits :: 12.31 :: New York

Arriving for their second annual five-night run at NYC’s Nokia Theatre, The Disco Biscuits found themselves in the midst of personal growth. Following a prolific year of touring and with their new album Planet Anthem set to hit the first week of February, this run was an opportunity to celebrate the past and embrace the future.

The Biscuits preceded the NYE finale with their full arsenal: heavy grooves, solid guest additions, new material, and numerous late night side-project activities. In contrast to last year’s excursions to and from the venue, outside temperatures were a little more forgiving this time around. Add an almost effortless ticket line and a very strong second set from the night before, and spirits were high for all making their way down the escalators and deeper underground.

“What’s up everyone?!” declared bassist Marc Brownstein with his arms held high moments before jumping into “M.E.M.P.H.I.S.” After a short-lived peak, the quartet nestled into an effortless pocket of trance-fusion. Thus began the first of three very well executed sets. “M.E.M.P.H.I.S.” eventually meandered into the energetic “Caves of the East,” a track that has grown into a beast over the past year.

The Disco Biscuits :: 12.31 :: New York

Before switching to an alternate MIDI-keyboard bass, Brownstein engaged in a short fist-pumping dance meant to rile up drummer Allen Aucoin. Under layers of pink and white lights, the darkest theme of the evening gained speed and turned triumphantly into “Gangster.” An air of confidence was evident from this point on which led to a lighter mood that would continue throughout the evening.

After a simple four-count Aucoin build, the entire Theatre barreled into a futuristic “Above The Waves,” with keyboardist Aron Magner filling in the voids with a wash of synthetic tones. The subsequent “Shem-Rah Boo” was a clutch choice to end the set, adding a touch of variety to the setlist and completing a version from the first night of the Nokia run. Through well-timed sustain and emphasis within the stanzas, the concluding solo by guitarist Jon Gutwillig set a humble, grounded tone before exiting the stage.

For big acts that play huge rooms and utilize massive production, it’s no secret that the show is often only as good as the band’s crew. This fact certainly holds true for Bisco and it was heartwarming to hear the band give props where props are due. A decade ago, when the Biscuits played NYE 1999 at Philly’s TLA, Johnny R. Goode was just a fan. About a year later he filled a last-minute vacancy as lighting technician. “He’s been with us ever since, pretty much the whole decade,” Brownstein explained from the stage. “Nine years and 500 shows he has been lighting us up. He’s got 84 moving lights onstage here for this run. So give it up for Johnny and the rest of The Disco Biscuits crew; a lot of them have been with us for a whole entire decade here!”

The Disco Biscuits :: 12.31 :: New York

A standalone version of “Mirrors” began set two. This track exemplifies many of the qualities featured in the band’s newer material: idiosyncratic Bisco-pop with a necessary tinge of menace. The launch into “Astronaut” continued a lighter mood that quickly transformed into “I-Man,” with Brownstein even teasing the bass line to “Crickets” during the transition. A slight strain in Gutwillig’s voice during “I-Man” was the only evidence that this five-night run might be taking a toll on the performers’ bodies. But with 10 minutes to go until a new year the band stormed on, playing with a fervor that was neither flashy nor excessive; simply making and arranging sounds in a way no other band can.

The ensuing “Countdown Medley” guided all through a surprise tour of the Bisco catalogue, and instead of playing on like years past, all four members took a pause and a well-deserved drink break. Gutwillig sprayed champagne into the crowd, ultimately handing the remains of the bottle to a lucky fan in the front row. With “I-Man” > “Helicopters,” the Biscuits ended set two poised to deliver what most avid fans have come to expect on any given night.

The Disco Biscuits :: 12.31 :: New York

10 years ago The Disco Biscuits were on a comparable rise, with anticipation high for an imminent release of new material. The subsequent album, 2001′s They Missed The Perfume, was recorded in a different manner than the band had tried before. The result, a lengthy compilation of electronica strewn across six songs, caught some off guard who were expecting a release similar to that of 1998′s Uncivilized Area, recorded in an organic “live” studio set-up.

Fast forward to 2009, the greater Bisco community still isn’t shy when sharing opinions and demands about their favorite band. As newer material was introduced over the past year (download “Konkrete” and “You And I” for free), many tracks bound for their upcoming album Planet Anthem were greeted with mixed results. Although the live setting is always where these new tracks grow their legs, the studio tends to be a different creative outlet for the band. This perceived “change” in style was perhaps unconscious, just a continuation of an improvised lifestyle that keeps their world from becoming stagnant. History has shown that the majority of new songs do grow into musical monsters, often catching us by surprise within a creative setlist.

“I let the fans pretty much pick the songs for the run this year. I let you guys do it!” Brownstein explained, adding a new twist to the fan/artist relationship in the age of social networking. “We’re going to have an application in a couple of days that’s going to have a request feature on it so the fans can go in and request what they want to hear at certain shows. That’s going to come straight to me and I’m going to know exactly what you want. So fear not; I enjoy your help.”

The Disco Biscuits :: 12.31 :: New York

Set three opener “Down To The Bottom” reached far back into the band’s catalogue, and featured an obvious lingering “Ladies” tease – paying homage to their impromptu Tractorbeam set a few nights prior at the Highline Ballroom. The jam out of “Naeba” – inspired by a journey through Japan en route to the Fuji Rock Music Festival – could have taken a sinister route, but instead the feeling of triumph returned.

All four band members made eye contact with content smiles on their faces, as if they didn’t believe there was much more to prove. The serene Bisco pocket would suffice, inspiring the 16-minute travels of “Mr. Don.” After performing for nearly six hours, the evening came full circle with the concluding “Spacebirdmatingcall” > “Down To The Bottom” segment and a “Rockafella” encore, solidifying this New Year’s Eve as one of The Disco Biscuits’ best in recent memory.

12.31.09 :: Nokia Theatre Times Square :: New York, NY

Set I: M.E.M.P.H.I.S. > Caves Of The East > Gangster > Above The Waves > Shem-Rah Boo

Set II: Mirrors, Astronaut > I-Man > Strobelights And Martinis > Countdown Medley > On Time , 7-11 > I-Man > Helicopters

Set III: Down To The Bottom > Naeba > Humuhumunukunukuapua’a > Mr. Don > Spacebirdmatingcall > Down To The Bottom

E: Rockafella

Download this show now!

Continue reading for more images of The Disco Biscuits on NYE…

JamBase | Up In It

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Disco Biscuits Will Release Planet Anthem On 02/02

December 8th, 2009 | No Comments

DISCO BISCUITS SET TO RELEASE LONG-AWAITED PLANET ANTHEM ON FEBRUARY 2, 2010

The Disco Biscuits

When The Disco Biscuits formed in Philadelphia in 1995, they introduced a pioneering blend of electronic and jam band elements. Since then, they’ve steadily cultivated a rabid fan base and have spawned an entire movement. Today the Biscuits are able to sell over a quarter of a million tickets in a year and have founded uber-successful summer music festival, Camp Bisco. But rather than remaining within their comfort zone, the band has forged ahead and introduced new ingredients to the beloved Bisco sound.

This Fall, the Biscuits gave a sneak peak of the highly eclectic new material with two EP’s, On Time and Widgets. On February 2, 2010 their latest chapter is fully realized in the form of their new album, Planet Anthem, on Diamond Riggs Records. Planet Anthem is the product of three fruitful years of labor, during which The Disco Biscuits absorbed everything from hip hop to pop to indie rock into their sound. The band collaborated for the first time with multiple producers, songwriters, and outside musicians, including Don Cheegro and Dirty Harry (Ludacris, Chris Brown, Beanie Sigel).

While the album still bears the signature Bisco sound, it also broadens the group’s palette and contains a mountain of meaty hooks. “You and I” is a pogo-inducing rocker with slightly sinister guitar riffs and a monster, arena-ready chorus. “On Time” is a breezy, electro-flavored anthem that is poised to slip into clubs across the country.

The Disco Biscuits have always attracted a diverse audience and their broad taste is reflected by the lineup of their Camp Bisco music festival each year. The past eight years have included performances by LCD Soundsystem‘s James Murphy, and fellow DFA artists Holy Ghost!, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dog, Kid Cudi, MSTRKRFT, Chromeo, and many more.

View the video for “You and I” here:

The mp3 for “On Time” is available here.

Disco Biscuits tour dates are available here.


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The Disco Biscuits: CO Run, Inferno, Magner Acoustic

December 2nd, 2009 | No Comments

THE DISCO BISCUITS ANNOUNCE FOUR NIGHTS AT COLORADO’S FOX THEATRE
CONFIRM BISCO INFERNO FOR MAY 29, 2010 / MAGNER GOES ACOUSTIC WITH HAMILTON

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits have announced their return to Colorado for four nights at Boulder’s Fox Theatre, set for January 28-31, 2010. A limited number of four day and single day passes are on sale now through BiscoTix here, and will be available this Friday at 12 noon MST through the Fox Theatre here.

Also announced, Bisco Inferno will be returning to Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater on May 29, 2010. Stay tuned for the complete line up and additional information.

Additionally, Biscuits keyboardist Aron Magner and Tom Hamilton (American Babies, Brothers Past) will perform Acoustic Again at Philadelphia’s Johnny Brenda’s on December 23. A yearly tradition during the early 2000′s, Magner and Hamilton would take one night a year to dig through each other’s catalogue and interpret their songs into an acoustic environment. After a few years off the duo will be starting the tradition anew at Johnny Brenda’s. As with previous years one can expect several guests and Beatles covers to pop up throughout the night.

Complete Disco Biscuits tour dates available here.


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The Disco Biscuits | 11.20 & 11.21 | S.F.

November 25th, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Chris Clark | Images by: Kelsey Winterkorn

The Disco Biscuits :: 11.21.09 :: The Fillmore :: San Francisco, CA

The Disco Biscuits :: 11.21 :: The Fillmore

Back in early April, The Disco Biscuits made their long awaited return to the West Coast for what was supposed to be a 2009 coming out party of sorts. The band was truly hitting their stride, again, and there was a bevy of talk surrounding the band that this just may be their time. There was consistent banter of the new album, and with it a fresh array of new material and maybe even a decidedly new direction. It had been years in the making, but those four trance fusion pioneers (with Allen Aucoin now in place of original drummer Sam Altman) from Philly were finally ready to make that big leap forward. At the time I experienced a dejà vu-like feeling, recalling back in 2002 thinking, ‘These guys are it.’ Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, and for both the Biscuits and their fiercely devoted fan base, a pressing family matter came up and the band had to cut short their Left Coast run prematurely. All the hoopla and excitable expectations would have to be held in check yet again until the Bisco train could once again arrive back in California.

Seven months later, they returned to the friendly Fillmore, set on making good after April’s unfortunate trip. Armed with an expanding catalogue of new tunes, obvious tenacity and enthusiasm, and a mostly packed Saturday night Fillmore crowd, ears were cocked and people ready to party. The Disco Biscuits took the stage (considerably later than expected) and set about building on their momentum from the first Fillmore gig. From what I gathered upon arrival, Friday’s night show was solid, but hopes rested on Saturday to take the cake.

The Disco Biscuits :: 11.21 :: The Fillmore

I walked into The Fillmore a little after 9:30 p.m., thinking that even though this was “An Evening With” show and there were no openers that the band would come on somewhat early to take advantage of a Saturday night in San Francisco. Well, about an hour later, the band took the stage and almost without hesitation dropped into the new song “Flash Mob.” A few nights prior in San Diego, to commence the run, the band had also opened with it; a somewhat surprising move. “Flash Mob” got the crowd moving before the Biscuits dropped into a heavily composed “42″ that built upon the energy and segued into a nice “Humuhumunukunukuapua’a.”

A crowd pleaser from the start, “Humu’s” goofy lyrics and floaty beginning rather quickly dropped into a dark, pulsating foray that took both the crowd and band’s energy up a few notches. After two and half songs, the Biscuits began to settle in and keyboardist Aron Magner and guitarist Jon Gutwillig really started pairing up. Looking back on the night, this exploratory dance groove was probably the highlight of the first set, encompassing a very patient style of playing where you could feel all four members locking in. “Lunar Pursuit” seemed to come rather quickly, leading to a guitar-heavy jam back into the ending of “42,” and soon after, a somewhat average set-closing rendition of “Basis for a Day.” Normally, a set-closing “Basis” is a true treat where new and innovative ground can be covered on a whim. Not to say this was a bad version in the least, but I was a little bit disappointed. While I have yet to hear “Minions” live, a couple people next to me were convinced the intro was actually “Minions.” Regardless, it was still a solid “Basis,” just maybe not the explosive, exploratory jam vehicle that it’s fully capable of.

Marc Brownstein :: 11.21 :: The Fillmore

The first set boasted a solid setlist with strong playing. There was nothing out of the ordinary, but instead a band playing well and getting warmed up for a second set that would conclude their November Fillmore run. It was clear the band was connecting and playing with vigor, a good sign for what was to come. Bassist Marc Brownstein looked like he was having a blast, Barber was in full shred mode, Aucoin’s drumming was ferocious, and the group dynamic and interplay was concrete throughout.

Set two again opened up with a new song, this time the debut of “Naively,” kind of a mellow second set opener that felt half baked. I could see the potential but at the same time it’s not what fans would look for in an opener. But what came next was something I, and what seemed like the vast majority of The Fillmore crowd, really enjoyed. The run of “Crickets” into an inverted (ending first, then beginning, then jam portion, for those who don’t know) “Little Shimmy in a Conga Line” into an inverted “Above the Waves” back into “Crickets” and finishing with a segue into another new song, “On Time,” was fantastic. This second set combination was stellar, with the band’s tension and release hitting on point through the set’s entirety.

Unlike many other aspiring groups out there, the Biscuits are kings at taking their music to a pivotal peak and releasing the tension. “Crickets” is an always-welcome old school track that can go anywhere. Looking around during the “crickets in the night, look out, explode!” portion, you could feel the anticipation mounting in the room, and a zealous impatience began to grow until the jam began. The jam was strong and the transition into the inverted “Shimmy” was performed seamlessly. Barber’s playing all night was impressive, and while he does have a propensity to play a lot of notes, he synched up well with Magner’s keys, and the rhythm section just killed the bass beats.

The Disco Biscuits :: 11.21 :: The Fillmore

“Above the Waves” was nasty. I heard someone saying there was too much composed stuff going on in the second set, but, to me, the first “Crickets” jam was very smoothly positioned and the jam out of “Shimmy” into the inverted “Above the Waves” was frankly perfect. True, I’ve always been a fan of “Waves,” but this version was played well, both in the vast composed sections and in the band’s jamming.

At this point, The Fillmore had their complete attention grasped by the Biscuits. I took a step back to take in their production – an always-impressive light and sound experience that is so Bisco. This is a band that’s unlike any other and has always maintained their own path and their own sound. The “Waves” jam back into the end portion of “Crickets” possessed the best interplay of the night, with all four members contributing to a nice trade-off jam that became “On Time.” This is a fun song with a great groove, great pacing, and plenty of bass. Out of the new crop of songs the band played this was easily one of the best and a nice set closer. The Biscuits’ second set was a lot more fiery than the first, and with it considerably more improv and energy from the band and crowd.

When they came out for the encore, Brownie got on the mic to explain how the song they were about to play was about San Francisco and that it was fitting to be played at The Fillmore. That song was “Wet,” and indeed it was moist. Perhaps not the wisest song to close with, at this point it didn’t matter. Bisco had won over the faithful and there was nothing but loud cheers and glassy eyes as they walked off stage.

The Disco Biscuits :: 11.21.09 :: The Fillmore :: San Francisco, CA

Set I: Flash Mob, 42 > Humuhumunukunukuapua’a > Lunar Pursuit > 42, Basis For A Day

Set II: Naively (1), Crickets > Little Shimmy In A Conga Line (2) > Above The Waves (2) > Crickets (3) > On Time

Encore: Wet

1 = 1st time played
2 = inverted
3 = unfinished

Continue reading for Dave Vann’s pics of the night before…

Images by: Dave Vann

The Disco Biscuits :: 11.20.09 :: The Fillmore :: San Francisco, CA

Set I: Story Of The World, ¿Donde?, Grass Is Green > Minions > Grass Is Green, Widgets, Stone > The Devil’s Waltz

Set II: Abraxas, Loose Change, Spraypaint > Bernstein And Chasnoff1 > Spraypaint

Encore: The City

1 inverted

BLVD opened show

BLVD

BLVD

BLVD

BLVD

JamBase | City By The Bay
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The Disco Biscuits | 10.31.09 | Chicago

November 1st, 2009 | No Comments

Images by: Brad Johnson

The Disco Biscuits :: 10.31.09 :: Auditorium Theatre :: Chicago, IL

Set I: Strobelights and Martinis, Pimp Blue Rikki, Flash Mob > Mindless Dribble > Caves of the East > Mindless Dribble > Confrontation1

Set II: Stone > The Devil’s Waltz, On Time > Confrontation1 > Spraypaint > Tempest > Tricycle > Spraypaint, Spy, I Am One2

Encore: Save The Robots3 > Run Like Hell4

1 dyslexic

2 1st time played (Smashing Pumpkins)

3 dyslexic completion of 10/30 version

4 completes 10/28 version

Thanks to phantasytour.com for the setlist.

The Disco Biscuits are on tour now; dates available here.

JamBase | Chicago

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Biscuits Brooklyn Bowl HeadCount Auction Tix

October 6th, 2009 | No Comments

Brooklyn Bowl Tickets and Lane Auctioned to Benefit HeadCount

The Disco Biscuits

Reserve your very own lane and get 8 tickets to The Disco Biscuits‘ concert at Brooklyn Bowl this Sunday, October 11. This auction is the ONLY way to reserve a lane in advance and the only way to purchase tickets to this SOLD OUT show. Bid on The Disco Biscuits at Brooklyn Bowl here. All proceeds benefit HeadCount, the nonprofit organization founded by Marc Brownstein to encourage participation in democracy.

Complete Bisco tour dates available here.


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Disco Biscuits EP Release Party at Brooklyn Bowl!

October 2nd, 2009 | No Comments

The Disco Biscuits EP Release Party at Intimate Brooklyn Bowl

The Disco Biscuits

The Disco Biscuits have announced that their first EP is finally coming out. The EP is appropriately called On Time and will feature two unreleased songs from the upcoming full-length album (“On Time” and “Loose Change”). “On Time” is the first single off the record and “Loose Change” was produced by Simon Posford and Benji Vaughan. Also included on the physical copy of the EP will be the previously released “Konkrete,” a mixed live version of “Mirrors,” a live edited video of “Mirrors” from Red Rocks (which features all of the wild shenanigans from the show), an Eliot Lipp remix of “On Time” and an extended club remix of “On Time” by Twisted Dee. There is also an actual music video for the band’s “You and I” track shot in Japan when the band played at Fuji Rock.

The EP will be sold on the road starting next week and will be available online and digitally everywhere. Stay tuned for more information. To celebrate the release, the Biscuits will be throwing a party on Sunday, October 11 at the intimate Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, NY. The band will play two sets and you will also get a free copy of the EP. Tickets are $25 and go on sale at www.biscotix.com on Monday (10/05) at Noon Eastern. The public on sale will be on Tuesday at Noon Eastern at this link.

The band is also doing a Twitter contest tomorrow in Washington, DC where the grand prize winner will receive two tickets during the NYE run. Your choice of show, except New Year’s Eve. Go to www.discobiscuits.com/09twittercontest for more info.

The Disco Biscuits are on tour now; dates available here.


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The Disco Biscuits | 09.13 | New Jersey

September 22nd, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Jonathan Reiss | Images by: Jason Flager

The Disco Biscuits :: 09.13.09 :: Starland Ballroom :: Sayreville, NJ

The Disco Biscuits :: 09.13 :: Sayreville, NJ

Note to fans of The Disco Biscuits: If you happened to miss the opening run of their fall tour this past weekend, I hate to admit it, but you missed out. The boys from the “city of brotherly love” were truly impressive this past weekend as they carved out three straight nights of energetic, innovative and free form live music with each night building considerable momentum for the next.

After dominating the pristine Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore on Friday with a show chock full of heavy hitters and a monster first set “Palindrome,” the band traveled up the road a bit from their Philadelphia studio for two nights at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. Nestled somewhere in between the New Jersey Turnpike and Bon Jovi’s childhood home, Starland’s intimate yet rowdy environment proved the perfect venue for the Biscuits to jumpstart their extended fall tour in front of their loyal fan base. With a three set Saturday night fiesta in the books, the stars were perfectly aligned for the Biscuits to close out the weekend with a monster show on a chilly Sunday evening.


Taking the stage at a shade past 10:00 pm, the Biscuits threw a bit of a curveball to the overly enthusiastic crowd by performing a set featuring only standalone versions of each song with no jams running in and out or resurfacing. To the surprise of many, this set proved to be one of the more impressive sets of the opening run, as each song was played to near perfection. Kicking things off with an old school combo of “Little Betty Boop,” “Above the Waves” and “Magellan,” the Biscuits sent an immediate message to all in attendance (and to those watching the setlist at home on the Internet), that the evening’s performance was going to be a real treat.

Getting right down to business with the “Boop” bustout, the band literally danced its way through this version, jumping from the catchy verses to the dirty jams. Featuring excellent interplay between keyboardist Aron Magner and guitarist Jon Gutwillig, the Biscuits built a multi-layered jam that had both the crowd and the room shaking. Gently sliding into the song’s second section, Gutwillig ripped up the blues oriented groove with his best Stevie Ray Vaughn imitation. A song the band has struggled to nail since drummer Allen Aucoin‘s inception in late 2005, “Boop” was one of the biggest surprises of the night and certainly is in the running for best version in recent memory.

Marc Brownstein :: 09.13 :: NJ

When the opening notes of “Waves” and “Magellan” circulated through the room, the audience response was so overwhelming one couldn’t help but notice the sheer appreciation gleaming from each band members’ face. Combining their blissful melodies, deep lyrics and multi-faceted jams, both songs served as terrific reminders of how musically talented these guys truly are and why after more than 14 years as a band they continue to attract new fans and keep the diehards on their toes.


But just when everyone thought the set would be nothing more than an old school classic rewind, bassist Marc Brownstein announced that the next tune, “Pimp Blue Rikki,” is the second to last new song on their forthcoming album, Planet Anthem, due out next January. Debuted a few days earlier at the Hippodrome, “PBR” took the crowd on an electronic ride through half stepped beats, sizzling synths and hip-hop laced lyrics. Taking on a different sound, style and structure from the average Disco Biscuits tune, the guys have continued their 2009 trend of pumping out fresh, cutting edge material at an astronomical rate. After only one listen, “PBR” appears to have serious potential as a jam vehicle and you can bet money the band will most definitely be taking the training wheels off as the tour moves forward. A perfectly placed “Home Again,” led by Brownstein’s intimate bass, was the ideal choice to usher the danced-out audience into some much needed rest, relaxation and refreshment during setbreak.


For the final set of the weekend, there probably wasn’t a soul in the room that felt like a letdown was even possible. With the previous set featuring no extended jams or trademark segues, one suspected that one last dance party was exactly what the Biscuits were about to dial up for their last set. Slipping onstage with a welcomed cheer, the Biscuits ripped through a perky rendition of “Hope” to open up the second set.

The Disco Biscuits :: 09.13 :: Sayreville, NJ

What happened after “Hope” was really quite phenomenal: an enormous 45-plus minute “Caterpillar > Orch Theme > Tempest > Caterpillar” segment that was far and away the highlight of the weekend. Stretching across multiple themes, the band displayed remarkable patience building the jam from “Caterpillar” into “Orch Theme” to an adrenaline-pumping climax, leaving the audience with no choice but to wildly dance in awe. Morphing out of “Orch Theme,” the jam took a dark but upbeat turn as Brownstein slowly dropped the “Tempest” bassline beneath the pandemonium emanating from the stage. By far the bust out of the night, “Tempest” was a welcome guest as it provided a seamless transition back into an abnormally mellow Gutwillig shred fest to complete the noteworthy “Caterpillar.”


Giving everyone an opportunity to catch their breath, the beautiful strokes of “Spaga” rose from Magner’s piano. Engulfing the room in a sea of red lights, smoke protruding from the stage, lighting designer Johnny R. Goode created the perfect backdrop to the classic tale of fire breathing dragons. A bit of a downer piece lately, this “Spaga,” like the opening “Boop,” was pumpin’ from front to back, giving Aucoin the opportunity to show off his drumming chops to the delight of the crowd.


Closing the show with standalone versions of “I Remember When” and “Rivers,” the band then acquiesced the crowd’s fiendish need for one more rager with a friend requested “Reactor” encore. Always a fan favorite, “Reactor” gave us one last taste of some home cooked Bisco before boarding the tour bus, heading south and hitting up the rest of the country with their trance-fusion.


09The Disco Biscuits :: 09.13.09 :: Starland Ballroom :: Sayreville, NJ

Set I: Little Betty Boop, Above The Waves, Magellan, Pimp Blue Rikki, Home Again

Set II: Hope, Caterpillar> Orch Theme>Tempest> Caterpillar, Spaga, I Remember When, Rivers

E: Reactor

The Disco Biscuits are on tour now; dates available here.

Continue reading for more pics of The Disco Biscuits in New Jersey…

JamBase | Slayerville

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Camp Bisco Set Times

July 14th, 2009 | No Comments

Camp Bisco Announces Set Times


The Discso Biscuits

East Coast faves The Disco Biscuits have officially released the Camp Bisco VIII performance schedule, available online at campbisco.net. The 50 performer lineup at the multi-stage camping festival includes: The Disco Biscuits – All 3 Nights; Nas & Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley; Asher Roth; Sound Tribe Sector 9 (2 nights)and many more.

Camp Bisco VIII is set to go down this weekend, July 16-18, and will once again be held at the picturesque Indian Lookout Country Club in Mariaville, New York. The grounds come equipped with full bathrooms; which include flush toilets and showers, as well as 24/7 bathroom attendants. Festival goers will have access to a full bar on site and a general store, which sells almost every necessity for a comfortable and care free experience.

New this year, Camp Bisco hosted a four-week multi-artist remix contest, powered by Sony Creative Software’s music remixing site ACIDplanet.com and promoted in partnership with Remix Magazine. For the first time, aspiring DJ/producers from around the country had the opportunity to remix top notch artists including The Disco Biscuits, The Orb, Dr. Dog, Telepath and John Brown’s Body. Five first place winners and one grand prize winner, The Maniac All-Stars, were selected for the first annual Camp Bisco remix contest. The Maniac All-Stars were selected as the grand prize winner for their “Rebirth” remix of the song “Subterfuge” by live electronica band and Camp Bisco performer, Telepath.

Check out the Camp Bisco VIII performance schedule at campbisco.net. Tickets are still on sale at campbisco.tickets.musictoday.com.


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